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Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport), Representative Robyn Porter (D-New Haven), and members of the General Assembly’s Labor Committee today voted to draft a committee bill that would expand Connecticut’s existing sick leave program to include earned family and medical leave.

“Life throws us many curveballs; people get sick, have children, and with a growing baby-boomer generation, more and more people in our workforce will have to take time off to care for their elderly parents. No one should go into financial distress just because they need to leave work for a few weeks to recover from an illness, care for a new baby, or care for a sick or aging family member. The answer to maintaining economic stability for Connecticut families is Senate Bill 1,” Sen. Gomes, Co-chair of the Labor Committee, said. “This is just the beginning of a long, thorough legislative process, and we have more hurdles to overcome, but I am committed to moving this bill forward to provide relief to families across our state.”

“Connecticut families should never have to choose between caring for a loved one and collecting a paycheck. Rather, they should have the best of both worlds,” said Rep. Porter, Co-chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. “By giving residents the ability to earn paid family medical leave, not only do we put families’ needs first, but we ensure that they are there for their loved ones during their times of need without jeopardizing their careers. I am proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues and fight for the passage of sensible paid family medical leave legislation.”

Now that Senate Bill 1, An Act Concerning Earned Family and Medical Leave, has been drafted in committee, the Legislative Commissioner’s Office will begin to write language for the bill and the committee will plan a public hearing. The dates and times for all upcoming meetings will be available at www.cga.ct.gov/lab.